Subterranean structure



c, GoTTvv/LD 11 SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 5o, 1954 sheetssvheet 1 v C. GOTTWALD 2,04%,243

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 50, 1954 Y zal@ I N VEN TOR.

Patented May 19, 1936 PATENT oFFlcE 2,041,243 SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURE Christian Gottwald, Cleveland Heights,v Ohio, assignor to The Ric-wil Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 30, 1934, Serial No.Y 755,314

`6 Claims.

This invention relates to enclosures, and is particularly adapted to the formation of conduits and similar subterranean structures.

An object `of the invention is to provide an improved structure in which the material will be eiiiciently distributed.

Another object is to provide an improved structure which may be easily constructed.

Another object is to provide an improved structure which will possess great strength.

Another object is to provide `an improved structure which will eiectively protect parts which it encloses from moisture.

Another object is to provide an improved struc- I5` ture which may be produced from a number of similar units or pieces.

Another object is to provide an improved structure having adjustable supporting means.

Other objects` will hereinafter appear.

The invention will be better understood from the description of several practical embodiments thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a transverse sectiona1 view of one form of conduit embodying the invention and showing a plurality of pipes enclosed therein;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another form of conduit, and illustrating an improved pipe supporting means;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line I II-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figures 1 and 2, but showing a third embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentaryA longitudinal sectional view taken on the line VV of Figure 4.

In Figure 1 a conduit is shown consisting of a flat base I conveniently formed of concrete or similar material and provided with reinforcing such as bars 2, and above which is formed a substantially semi-circular or arch-shaped covering consisting of a plurality of similar arcuate tiles indicated generally at 3.

Within `the space enclosed by the floor I and arch above mentioned are positioned a plurality of pipes, 4, 5 and 6 supported upon rollers 'I having trunnions 8 mounted in bearings formed on bifurcated standards 9 secured to the floor or base as by Vbolts IIJ. The arch consisting of tiles 3 extends below the upper surface of the floor I into recesses II within which its ends are sealed as by cement I2.

Each tile is of generally quadrilateral shape provided With dove-tail-shaped projections I3 (Cl. 13S-48) on one edge anda dove-tailed recess I4 on its opposite edge.

The tile is of cellular structure, having an outer wall I5, an inner wall I6, and a centralwall I1 between these two. It likewise has an end I8 carrying the dove-tail I3 and an end I9 into which is formed recess I4, while between these Walls is a cross wall 2Il.

The tiles at the edges of the arch 2I are in eifect equivalents of halves of the tiles 3 above described.

The tiles are secured together by cement 22. The joints may be covered with caps 23 of cement and the entire exterior of the arch sealed with any desired waterproof material such as pitch or other bituminous coating.

The space enclosed by the arch or roof and the floor may be iilled with a loosely packed heat-insulating material 24, or the pipes may each be provided with solid heat-insulating coverings if desired.

It will be understood that, when intended for a subterranean conduit, this structure is built upon the bottom 25 of a trench, and that after the housing has been completed with the pipes, insulating material, and the like enclosed, the trench is filled in. Preferably the sides of the lower part of the trench, for an appreciable distance above the floor I, is filled with material of rather large particles, such for instance as broken stone 26, above which the trench is filled with the earth 2l which was removed in digging the trench.

It will be apparent that moisture accumulating within the conduits, or Within the spaces within the arch, will be drained into the recesses 28 of tiles 2| below the level of the upper surface of floor I, and may be conveyed to any desired point of disposal.

While the arch above illustrated is of generally circular shape, it will be understood that the term arch is used to comprehend not only arcs of circles, but catenary, hyperbolic, parabolic and other arcs.

Figure 2 showsa modification of the apparatus of Figure 1, in which the arched top has been, attened and supplemented with vertical sides. This structure consists of a base or floor IUI, sides composed of generally rectangular tiles I2I each consisting of an outer wall II5, an inner wall IIB, an intermediate wall II'I, a lower end II8, provided with a dove-tailed recess II4, an upper end II9 having a dove-tail-shaped projection Il3, and a transverse Wall |20.

The roof of this structure is shown as a series of continuous slightly arched tiles or girders |03, each having an outer wall |30, an inner wall |3I, two intermediate walls |32, and cross walls |33. The tiles of roof and walls are sealed to each other and to the floor by cement |22 and may be protected as above described in connection with the form of the iirst figure.

The disposal of the webs of the tiles, as well as the arch of the top, gives this structure, like that of Figure 1, a truss-like strength and rigidity against distortion both from the weight it supports and from lateral pressure.

A single U-shaped bracket |09 ts within the interior of the conduit, having supporting feet I| resting upon the base |0|, having slots through its sides through which pass bolts ||2 retaining bifurcated cradles |02, in which are supported ends of bars orrodsv |08 supporting rollers |01 on which rest pipes |04, |05 and |06.

As inthe embodiment above described, drainage is effected through the unobstructed series of cells of the lowermost tiles |2 I, and any moisture accumulating within the conduit may reach these tiles by owing along the space beneath the U-shaped brackets |09.

Figures 4 and 5 show a still further modication, in which the top arch or roof of the conduit has been still further flattened, so that it has become substantially a horizontal girder or slab.

T In these gures, the floor or base is indicated at 20| formed of concrete and upon which are supported walls consisting of cellular tiles 203. These tiles have inclined outer walls 2I5 so that the number of walls between these and the inner walls 2|6 increases from top to bottom, providing a structure of increasing strength as the supported weight andthe pressure of the earth upon its sides increase. They also function in the manner of trusses to increase the strength of the structure.

The roof of this embodiment consists of a monolithic slab of concrete, conveniently formed bypouring this material upon a generally flat piece 2|`| of corrugated sheet metal resting upon the upper edges of tiles 203 and upon which the concrete forms a slab 2|8 embedding reinforcing means such as bars 2|9. Y

The portion of the floor 20| between the side walls consists of a thin layer of concrete 20|a upon which are placed a plurality of hollow tiles 202, the concrete entering recesses between these and firmly binding them together. These tiles form a smooth paved surface on the topof the floor, and the hollows of the tiles being in alignment serve as additional drainage means, supplementing that provided by the cells in the lowermost blocks 203 and carrying away any moisture which may have entered the interior of the conduit. l

Brackets 209 and rollers 201 similar to those described in conjunction with Figure 1 are used, and on these are supported pipes 204, 205 and 206.

Two of these pipes are shown as surrounded with heat insulating material, such as molded sectional coverings 220, which are protected against friction with the rollers by metal shoes or plates 22|.

While I have described the illustrated embodiments of my invention in some particularity, obviously many others will readily occur to those skilled in this art, and I do not therefore limit myself to the precise details shown and described, but claim as my invention all embodiments, modifications and variations coming within the scope of the subjoined claims.

. I claim:

1. A built-up conduit consisting of a floor, a top, and sides, the sides comprising tile sections so constructed and arranged that the complete wall diverges outwardly from the top downwardly whereby a bracing eifect is secured which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected.

2. Abuilt-up conduit consisting of a floor, a top, and sides, the sides comprising tile sections so constructed 'and arranged that the complete wall diverges outwardly from the top downwardly whereby a bracing eiect is secured which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected, and integral reinforcing interconnecting webs within said tile sections.

3. A built-up conduit consisting of a floor, a top, and sides, the sides comprising tile sections so constructed and arranged that the complete wall diverges outwardly from the top downwardly whereby a bracing effect is secured which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected, and internal reinforcing cruciform webs integral with said tile sections and dividing the interior of said sections into a plurality of longitudinally extending hollows.

4. A built-up conduit consisting of a floor, a top, and sides, the sides comprising tile sections so constructed and arranged that the complete wall diverges outwardly from the top downwardly whereby a bracing effect is secured which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected, the sides each consist- Ving of a plurality of superposed courses, the lower surface of each course being substantially coextensive with the upper surface of the course therebelow.

5. A built-up conduit consisting of a floor, a top, and sides, the sides comprising hollow tiles each having a substantially horizontal bottom wall, a substantially horizontal top wall, and upwardly converging side walls whereby a bracing effect is secured which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected.

6. A built-up conduitconsisting of a floor, a top, and sides', the sides comprising a plurality of courses of tile sections, each consisting of a horizontal bottom wall, a horizontal top wall and upwardly converging side walls, the side walls of'each course of tiles being in alinement with those of adjacent courses whereby a bracing eifect is secured throughout the entire extent of the sides which tends to resist any lateral thrust to which the structure may be subjected.

CHRISTIAN GOT'IWALD. 

